Staying healthy can feel like a full-time job. There is always something new to know — or worse yet, to be afraid of. But it doesn’t have to be so complicated and overwhelming. In fact, simply getting your regular screenings can go a long way in preventing chronic conditions and detecting other serious conditions in their early stages. Because an increasing number of health insurance plans now have to cover many basic screenings, it makes sense from every financial angle to get your regular screenings. Not only are you already paying for many of them through your monthly health insurance premium, but the cost of treating a cancer or a chronic condition far outweighs any out-of-pocket expense you might have to cover. Here are nine screenings to make sure you keep up with. Colonoscopy What: A procedure that screens for colorectal cancer, the third most common cancer diagnosed in men…

You recognize the actor’s face, but you forget her name; you know the meaning of the word you’re searching for, but can’t come up with the actual word; you forget where you parked the car or put the car keys. These instances are frustrating—even embarrassing sometimes—and can incite worry over whether you’re suffering from simple forgetfulness or something more severe. Unlike age-related cognitive decline, which is often characterized by forgetting and then remembering, dementia is a chronic and worsening forgetfulness, confusion or inability to complete basic cognitive tasks, to the point that it’s interfering with daily life. The illness can take a financial toll as well. According to a 2015 Alzheimer’s Association report, the total lifetime cost of care for someone with dementia is estimated to be $341,840. Alzheimer’s screenings and medications Alzheimer’s is the most common form of dementia (accounting for about two-thirds of cases). The Alzheimer’s Association has…

You know that feeling when you wake up from a really great night’s sleep, when energy is abundant, and you feel balanced, strong and capable? You’re not imagining that feeling. Your body craves sleep, and functions better when it gets the recommended seven to eight hours it needs. But according to a study from the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, about one-third of adults in the U.S. say that they get less than the recommended seven-eight hours of sleep. While a few bad nights of sleep tied to particularly stressful situations (like the night before a job interview or an early morning flight) likely won’t compromise your health, researchers are learning more about the adverse health effects related to chronic lack of sleep. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has linked the lack of sleep with a variety of health conditions, from diabetes to depression. According to…

It’s never too early to start thinking about your heart health and it’s never too late to start improving it. Taking steps to lower your risk for heart disease is well worth the investment, no matter your age.